World cricket has nothing to lose if Pakistan-India series doesn't take place: Gavaskar

Former Indian captain says a series between the arch-rivals will not be as exciting as it used to be before

In a first, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar said on Friday world cricket has nothing to lose if Pakistan, India don't play against each other in a bilateral series.

“A cricket series between India and Pakistan used to be the mother of all battles, but not anymore,” Gavaskar told NDTV on Friday.

"They [India and Pakistan] - unlike the Ashes -- haven't played bilateral series since 2012 and before that also the contest between the two was pretty sporadic. So, I don't think this has affected world cricket at all," he added.



Further, the former captain said the quality of cricket is not top class either which will affect the hype of the bilateral series.

“"With absolutely no disrespect to the current teams, I am not too sure if the clash between the two teams would be that exciting as those two series," said Gavaskar.

"When Sourav Ganguly's team toured Pakistan in 2004-05 and Inzamamul Haq's team came to India in 2007-08, the excitement levels were way high because of the quality of the players in both sides."



Gavaskar also said that the BCCI must respect the decision of the Indian government, and if the bilateral series won’t take place, it will not affect the world of cricket.

According to the signed MOU between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), six bilateral series will take place between the two arch rivals in the next eight years.

Pakistan is due to host four out of six series, first of which will have to place in 2015, followed by series in 2019, 2020 and 2022, whereas India is due to host series in 2017 and 2023.

PCB and BCCI earlier agreed on principle that the first series will take place in Sri Lanka in December if the both Government permits.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already given a nod to the PCB for the series, but BCCI is still waiting for the approval from the Indian Government.

The article originally appeared on NDTV.